Week 3 Storytelling: Jatayu and Sampathi

It was getting late when Jacob and Samuel’s father came into their room and told them that it was time to get ready for bed. As the boys finished their nightly routine, their father carried them back to their room and tucked them in. “What bedtime story do y’all want to hear tonight?” he asked kindly. “You decide,” replied Samuel. “Yeah, tell us something that we haven’t heard before!” added Jacob. The father paused for a moment to decide on a story, then he began:

“There once were two brothers, named Jatayu and Sampathi. However, this was no ordinary pair of brothers. Jatayu and Sampathi were the two most majestic eagles that ever lived, with beautiful feathers and wings that spanned almost thirty feet. Like the two of you, Jatayu and Sampathi loved to compete with one another in every way possible. One day, Jatayu challenged Sampathi to a competition to see who could fly higher. Without responding, Sampathi took off toward the sky and Jatayu raced to keep up. The two birds flapped their wings with all their might, soaring past the highest trees, tallest mountains, and, eventually, the clouds.  At an instant, Jatayu blew past Sampathi and turned back to taunt his older brother. ‘What’s the matter? Can’t keep up?’ Jatayu asked mockingly. As Sampathi glanced in his brother’s direction, he noticed faint waves of smoke rising from his wings. In their competition, the two failed to realize that they had climbed well into the outer layer of the atmosphere, where there is little protection from the sun’s powerful rays. ‘Jatayu, your wings! We must descend!” Sampathi begged, but Jatayu would not fall prey to his brother’s trickery. Sampathi realized that his brother would not end the competition and hurried to get ahead of him. Just as Sampathi managed to protect Jatayu in the shadow of his wings, the older brother burst into flames. The flames greatly injured Sampathi’s wings, sending him in a downward spiral toward the Earth. Jatayu dove after his brother in a desperate attempt to save him. Jatayu reached Sampathi in time to wrap him in his wings, just before hitting the ground. When they awoke, Sampathi no longer had his wings. Fortunately, a sage happened upon the brothers and offered himself to care for them in their time of weakness.”

 

(Two Eagles Soaring: Intimate Love Divine)

 

“Goodnight, boys.” The father got up and headed for the door. “What?! How can you expect us to go to sleep after such a sad story?” Samuel insisted. “Well, if you must know, legend had it that Sampathi’s wings would be restored in the presence of a great warrior by the name of Rama. Rama’s mission was to remove all of the evil spirits from the world, but we’ll save that story for tomorrow night.” The boys smiled at their father as he turned off the light and they drifted to sleep, anxious to hear the next night’s story.

Author’s Note: In the original story, the two brothers were not competing, but trying to catch a glimpse of heaven. During their climb, they crossed paths with the sun god, who grew very irritated and attacked them. I thought that the idea of a competition between two brothers would make for a better bedtime story. I also liked how the story could be tied into The Ramayana as a whole.

Bibliography: Narayan, R. K. (1972) The Ramayana

Week 3: Reading Diary B

Memento from Rama

• Sita is alive and remains loyal to Rama
• I liked how Hanuman made a point to destroy as much of Ravana's kingdom as possible before returning to Rama.

Ravana in Council

• Ravana's youngest brother, Vibishana, is probably the wisest of his advisors. Unfortunately, Ravana sneers at his advice and banishes him for admiring Rama.
• Is Vibishana going to try to stop Rama or will he aid him out of adoration?

Across the Ocean

• Vibishana could prove to be a very helpful ally, although I'm still not convinced that he has abandoned his loyalty to Ravana.
• The fact that Vibishana is helping Rama devise a plan of attack on Ravana is convincing me that he truly wants to help Rama.

The Siege of Lanka

• How can R. K. Narayan simply tell us that Rama defeated Ravana?! We've been waiting the entire story for this encounter, and all we know is that Rama destroyed Ravana's crown and chariot.
• Why would Rama let Ravana live?!
• I love how all of Ravana's advisors continuously remind him of his cowardice in taking Sita from Rama without confronting him.

Rama and Ravana in Battle

• Since Rama did not finish his mission during the first encounter, a much more suspenseful conflict is bound to occur.
• Why won't Ravana die?!
• Worse yet, Rama spares him again.
• Finally! Rama should have just began with Brahmasthra.

Interlude

• Why is Rama not overjoyed at the sight of Sita?!
• Was Sita jumping into a fire really necessary to establish her loyalty to Rama?

The Coronation

• I can definitely understand why Rama would insist that Dasaratha take back his vow on Bharatha, but I don't understand how Rama could still look at Kaikeyi as a mother.
• They lived happily ever after!

Week 3: Reading Diary A

Well, first of all, I just realized that the copy of The Ramayana that I am reading has fewer pages than the copy that was used to create our reading assignments. So, for these last two reading diaries, I am going to read 30 of the remaining 60 pages for each. Also, I have decided to try breaking my thoughts up by chapter, especially since my readings do not perfectly align with the rest of the class.

Vali

• "This is one of the most controversial chapters of the book." What a suspenseful way to start the chapter! I wonder who/what Rama is going to kill?
• In this chapter, we are also introduced to the forest kingdom, Kiskinda, which is inhabited by many great and intelligent animals.

Sugreeva's Story

• Vali is obviously very proud of his strength and prone to act in haste.
• How can Vali not understand his brother's installment as king after being absent for over 2 years?!
• I feel really bad for Sugreeva. Vali's actions were very irrational and oppressive.

Dundubi's Story

• Rama receives another sign of Sita! I was not very confident in their quest while they were relying solely on hearsay from people that they did not know.
• "We should not become too analytical about a friend, nor look too deeply into original causes; but accept only what appears good to us in the first instance, and act on it." What?! After all the wisdom that Rama has shown, how could he say something so foolish?
• Despite Vali's unjust actions towards his brother, his death was still very sad. I can see why this chapter is considered to be so controversial. Rama should not have so blindly intervened in the affairs of the two brothers. Although Sugreeva's story was tragic, Rama was not at all concerned with Vali's side. Unfortunately, Rama had already given his word to Sugreeva and, as we've seen, was bound to act on his word.

When the Rains Cease

• There was an interesting side note about some possible incentives for Kooni's actions. This was the first instance in which we've been provided any such information.
• It amazes me how strongly Rama insists on fulfilling every aspect of his father's promise. Even with horrible storms on the way, Rama refuses to find shelter in the city, as it would violate the conditions of his exile.
• I was happy to find that, despite his forgetfulness, Sugreeva was still eager to help Rama find Sita.
• We were also introduced to Jatayu's brother, Sampathi. This was pretty cool because I had already learned about Sampathi during my research for storybook topics.
• Sampathi knows where to find Sita!